Yellowstone Jack: Trappers of the Enchanted Ground — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ie, him. And yet he could move his eyes, he could breathe; the atmosphere was ‘ -' g 1 4 =4.'. is aS ae é ~ - warm, there was a peculiar odour percep- tible. What did it all mean? Could this be the “other world?” Was he . dead? If not, then where was he? — _- No, Yellowstone Jack was not dead, though for some time he was in great ee doubts upon this point. But then, as his oe - -f ee) ik, - - sound changed to the voice of some one _ singing a plaintive air at no great dis- tance, and he could see that he was be- __ neath the ground, his fect still lying in peat the water. : ) | | “Some more spook business, I reekon,” _ the scout muttered, uneasily, feeling at his belt; then, as he found his knife still in its sheath, he gained more confidence. * Black Harris whipped one on ’em wi - aknife, an’ I reckon ’'m es good a man es he is; anyway, Vl make it es lively es oan kin for em, ef they think to play off - any o’ thar tricks on me.” | he singing had now ceased, and Yel- lowstone could just distinguish two - yoiees, as though in conversation. Draw- ing his knife, he crept forward as silently as possible. His progress was almost - immediately checked by what seemed to bea rock-wall. The voices appeared to pass through this. Yet, as he carefully felt of the obstruction, he found it gradu- &: ally retreated upon either hand, like an | murdered !”’ é enormous column. Following up the _ right hand curve, the trapper found the light steadily increasing in brilliancy ; - then he abruptly paused, with difficulty - checking an exclamation of wondering surprise. v3 . . And truly ’twas a strange scene that - mot his gaze. A rude, gourd-shell lamp . wwos suspended in the air, casting a ilick- ering, uncertain light around. The floor here, that had been gradually rising ever -_- since Yellowstone Jack left the water’s edge, was elevated nearly to the height of bis head. The walls were hung with skins, furs, articles of indian dress and 4a88, various kinds of weapons, such as} bows and arrows, hatchets, knives, and even rifles. ay ee OG AEN Seated upon a pile of furs, were two human beings—or “spooks,” as the ry ‘ conversing together. “Though wildly- eC ea re, > ia tha’ flic : ¢ “ ering light, startlingly so. -- 4 wy walt at a ~~ y ‘2 . - . ’ Le ‘ ~ ' .? 9 T } y cs + i , -< ; “ id " /* ioe a4 YELLOWSIONE JACK ig ASTONtSi#ED. _ brain grew clearer, the unearthly sweet | superstitious trapper devoutiy believed, | derfully. é - iiffering types they were both beautiful, ‘Blonde’ and brunette; theone dressei| in| Reasoning thus, — : civilized costume, though sadly worn and frayed, the other in Indian dress,beaded, __ embroidered, and feather-worked. This last, Yellowstone Jack had seen before. — She it was who sent him the warning — note. a Se “You sigh,” suddenly said the drunette, — in @ clear, musical voice that strangely — thrilled the listening trapper. ee eet “ And ean you wonder, after what I have told you? Just think what has — occurred since yesterday morning! The | storm, the frightful runaway and rescue _ from what seemed certain death—then he was murdered--” a “Do not weep,” soothingly uttered — the other, caressing the soft, brown locks _ of her companion. “ At least’your lifeis _ spared.” | = “ Andfor what? Better had you let — that fearful woman kill me at once; what have I to livefor now? Nothing. Ali are dead, all murdered! And I am here-—” | “With one . friend, at least, lady. — Mother has had spelis—at their worst when the moon is full—but Icandoany- — thing with her. NowthatIhaveclaimed — you as a friend, she will never lift. a fin- geragainst you. We wi try and make — you happy until you ¢an be restored to— your fries<s.” “TI have none, = - - +} “ton rf ‘ ~ 4 They are all dead— é “ Perhaps not. ‘They were strong in numbers and courase. They may have defeated the Indians. I asked mother to learn what was the result when she went forth this morning. She should have re- turned before this. Perhaps I can see her.” 2 Yellowstone Jack saw the girl move toward him, and shrank backtremblingly, He was not yet fully assured of her ~ being mortal fiesh and blood. She did — not follow him. instead he hearda ~ faint, crealang noise; and then, a2 ~ moment later, the figure reappeared seemingly excited about something. , “ There’s a man outside. Perhaps the very one who treated you so rudely,” she whispered, breathlessly ; yet distinctly. “ Brindle Joe, Ill bet a mule!” thought -_ Yellowstone, and his courage rose won- © HE she kin git out, so kin I. Hf they're spooks, then thoy know Pm here, an’ if they ain’t, 1 reckon Tm man encugh to han/le two gal-eritters.”’ the trapper stepped — CONNIE MOO KSACOiM . ay tA